Have you heard of a standing desk? The Flexispot standing desk is a brilliant addition to a home office or a teenager’s bedroom and I’m going to let you into the secrets on why a height-adjustable desk beats a traditional standard desk hands down!
As a teacher I know how hard it can be for students who spend long periods of time sitting down, there has been lots of research now on the benefits of regular movement breaks and whilst this is often facilitated in primary schools, movement breaks are a lot less common in secondary school although the students do get to move between lessons which can help. Prolonged sitting is not good for our physical health and if our children then come home and have homework to do that is even more time in front of a computer or sitting down.
Did you know that the average school child spends between 4.5 hours a day sitting at a desk, that’s a shocking figure and many are then sitting in the evening whilst they play video games or complete homework. This can take the daily average up to a whopping 8 hours sitting a day. I was really pleased to be asked to try out the Flexispot standing desk and write a comprehensive review of our experience because I was horrified by how much sitting our teens do when I really thought about it.
It is not just in our homes that we are seeing the introduction of standing desks, there have now been a number of trials of using the desks in the classroom. The results are very favourable demonstrating a positive impact on learning and behaviour according to teachers, researchers and the children themselves.
A standing desk can help beat a sedentary lifestyle that many students and office workers are a victim of. Therefore when it came to getting Erin a new desk for her bedroom I opted for an adjustable standing desk. In this post, we are reviewing Flexispot desk E8 from the set-up to using it for homework and crafting. We are going to share our honest thoughts and opinions on the desk and the benefits it brings for teens who have specific needs to study and complete homework at home.
What is an electric standing desk?
A standing desk is simply an electric desk that, at the touch of a button, is height adjustable. The idea is that you stand to work and this improves productivity and has a number of health benefits. The main advantage of a standing desk is that the whole work surface is able to move to different heights rather than just a platform for the laptop.
The Flexispot E8 has a streamlined design and is very modern in its look. It is a very stable design that is capable of taking a hefty weight capacity of 125KG. The earlier (and more affordable option) was using standing desk converters which is a great way to create an adjustable standing desk, but the Flexispot standing desk is ideal for the complete package as it is electric.
Putting the Flexispot standing desk together
Lee was tasked with putting the electric standing desk together during half term. It arrived in three separate boxes and only took him about half an hour to put it together in Erin’s bedroom. There are comprehensive instructions included in the boxes and if you are a visual person I noticed that there are a number of Youtube tutorials on how to put the Flexispot standing desk together. In our experience, it was an easy assembly.
The E8 Flexispot Standing Desk
The desk we opted for is the large desk with a white frame and white worktop, they come in three different sizes so do measure up before ordering! We went for the 140cm by 70cm. The work desks are customisable in a number of different colours which includes bamboo, walnut and mahogany. Likewise, the frame colors are black or white. I wanted a completely white set-up as this goes with Erin’s teenage bedroom aesthetic complete with vines!
The desk has electric motors so does need to be near a power socket. for the power cables. The control box, with its digital display, is placed at the front edge of the desk which makes it easy to manoeuvre and the premium keypad allows you to store up to 4 height settings. This allows different positions to be stored which is ideal for students. We have Erin’s set at two preset heights, a standing height and then again at a sitting height for when she does choose to sit.
If you do want to be able to sit at the desk do consider an ergonomic chair to compliment your new standing desk.
One of the extra inbuilt features I love is the anti-collision technology function which ensures safety by preventing the desktop from being damaged or crushing other objects and devices while in motion. There is also a child lock feature which is ideal if siblings or any big kids start fiddling!
This E8 model also has a cable management tray which again is ideal for keeping the wires tucked away which is important in an office space or teenager’s bedroom.
This desk, like other Flexispot products, has a great height range from 60-125cm. The maximum height is suitable for taller adults although I doubt Erin’ will need it that high!
5 Benefits for students
We have explained how to build the standing desk and outlined the key features but I want to highlight why the desk is such a good investment for school-aged children and university students.
- Firstly this desk will grow with them literally! The desk’s height is fully adjustable, making it the best option for fast-growing young people.
- Secondly, the desk improves posture and this is clearly very important in growing teenagers. Sitting in one place for extended hours can cause you to stoop over your desk or slump in your chair. Learning good standing habits now will help young people for years to come as it reduces shoulder pain and back pain. My teenage son has had back pain recently and we have spent quite a bit of chiropractic treatment. His fabulous therapist actually recommended a standing desk and explained how they can help reduce muscular back pain.
- Helps focus and concentrate working at a standing desk can literally force you to ‘think on your feet’. Research indicates that standing promotes sharper problem-solving skills and enhances cognitive function as a result of increased blood flow to the brain. If you want your kids to get top grades then a standing desk is a good option and may well help achieve those A grades!
- Improved mood and energy levels Standing desks can leave you feeling less fatigued and refreshed. This can boost your brain function and thus, keep you energized throughout the day.
- Finally, standing desks can improve behaviour and general fidgety behaviour as rather than trying to sit still the learners can shift their body weight from side to side giving them greater concentration and keeping them on task for longer.
With these clear advantages to using a standing desk over a traditional desk, it is no surprise that they are gaining popularity in the home, workplace and schools. Anything that aids productivity and helps students to learn needs to be looked at. We know the importance of wellbeing in schools and it seems that this now includes the office supplies and the furniture that we use. This is yet another example of how technology is aiding teaching and learning.
Do check out the Flexispot website to learn more about standing desks and how they can benefit you and your family. There is currently a Spring Sale UP TO 30% OFF 1st Mar. to 31st Mar so don’t delay!
